TEXTING ADDICTION AND OUR YOUTH

ISLAMABAD
Text messaging has become preferred mode of communication for majority of youngsters. It has surpassed rest of the forms of daily interaction amongst youngsters like face-to-face conversations, voice calling, etc. Widespread availability of cheap unlimited text message plans has made the service preferred mode of communication for youngsters and its excessive use is leading to health problems among them.
Cell phones nowadays have become symbol of independence for our youth that mobile phone helps them to develop their own language and social groups.
Apparently, 60 percent of youngsters send and receive over 100 text messages daily to interact with their peer group.
Excessive text messaging is leading to a number of problems for our kids as they are developing problems like insomnia, depression, lack of eating, isolation etc. According to Survey prolonged engagement with such an activity can lead to diseases like brain tumor, infertility etc.
The cellular companies seemed to be in a race to announcing free night packages, low rates for one special number etc. regardless of the fact that they are making customers addicts, wasting valuable time and distracting their attention from constructive activities.
A majority of youth admits that they are often awakened by a phone call or a text message after going to bed and the lack of sleep has affecting their work and progress. Around 80 per cent of youngsters check their phones every few seconds to see if they have received any message.
The immature generation has become addicted to avail these kinds of text packages. These kinds of portable platform providers are taking away our youth from family, cultural, traditional and religious values.
It is responsibility of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to set certain standards and ask the cellular companies to lessen this day by day increasing trend which would create big problems for the youth if not address well on time.
This step is important for safeguarding bright future of youngsters, and a code of conduct must be developed to create awareness among masses regarding harmful effects of excessive use of such services.